State launches Climate Leadership Academy to confront global warming

Maryland is launching the nation's first state-sponsored Climate Leadership Academy to help local governments, state agencies, nonprofits and the private sector prepare to address the impact of global warming. State officials kicked off the initiative during a three-day State of the Coast conference taking place this week in Cambridge, laying out their vision for how the state can help stakeholders gird for climate change. (Md. Matters)

Donna Edwards gets backing of SEIU Local 500 in race for county executive

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500 is backing Donna F. Edwards in her bid to be the next county executive of Prince George’s, citing her advocacy on behalf of working people. Mark McLaurin, the political director for SEIU Local 500, which has 15,000 members statewide, said the group has confidence in Edwards to “clean house” in the county’s struggling public education system and focus on improving its early-education programs. (Wash. Post)

Almond removes herself from consideration as Baltimore County Council moves to replace Kamenetz

Baltimore County Councilwoman Vicki Almond on Tuesday removed herself from consideration to serve as interim county executive as the council moves to fill the vacancy left by Kevin Kamenetz’s death. At a public hearing in Towson, the Democrat from Reisterstown said Kamenetz’s replacement “should not be chosen as part of a political coronation by council colleagues.” (Balt. Sun)

Montgomery County Council approves funds for immigrant legal services

The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved dedicating $370,000 in county funds to pay for legal representation for low-income immigrants in the county who face civil deportation proceedings. The vote came after the council's initial plan to direct the money to the nonprofit Capital Area Immigrant Rights' Coalition fell through Monday when the coalition withdrew its request for about $374,000 in county funds to represent detained immigrants. (Bethesda)

Leading 6th District candidates meet at forum

While Donald Trump was the target of some criticism, Democratic candidates for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District also tried to differentiate themselves Tuesday night at a forum in Montgomery County as the primary election draws closer. Five of the eight Democratic candidates — Andrew Duck, Nadia Hashimi, Roger Manno, Aruna Miller and David Trone — squared off in a forum at Congregation Har Shalom and hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and other Montgomery County synagogues. (News-Post)

Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown back on Capitol Hill after minor stroke

Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown, who suffered a minor stroke this month, has returned to Capitol Hill to get back to work. Brown, a Democrat, planned to speak Tuesday evening on the House floor about the defense authorization bill. Matthew Verghese, Brown's spokesman, says Brown also planned to sign a discharge petition to force floor votes on immigration legislation. (AP)

Talbot Republicans open election HQ

The Republican Central Committee of Talbot County has opened its election headquarters at 110 N. Washington St. in downtown Easton. It will be open through the November 2018 general election. Special guests at the opening were Dirk Haire, chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, and Patrick O’Keefe, executive director of the Maryland Republican Party. (Star-Democrat)

May 22 // After career in law, Democrat Jim Shea seeks to be governor: 'I think I have something to offer'

Jim Shea, until recently the chairman of Maryland’s largest law firm, stood in a Bethesda living room on a recent Sunday afternoon explaining to a small group of voters why he is seeking a late-in-life career change. At 65, Shea is one of the most respected attorneys in Maryland. As guests sipped white wine, Shea spoke of how difficult it’s been to become a politician seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. (Balt. Sun)